Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 10 No. 1 | August 2017

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greatly enjoy contributing. You
already have noticed that this
magazine is now available online.
Beginning in August, “Virginia
Tech Sports Today” will be as well.
Check out HokieSports.com for
online editions.
At the same time, I believe
there is negligence in complacency
and remain grateful that virtually
everyone associated with Tech
athletics shares this belief. In this
highly competitive arena, we need
to adapt to run with the leaders
of the pack. With that in mind,
I stand exceptionally excited to
unveil the following new initiatives
for the coming year. I do so with
the caveat that, as we implement
new mediums, we undoubtedly
will make some missteps along the
way. I hope that you bear with us
as we do.
We greatly enjoyed having
Willie Byrn as a member of our
broadcast team last year, but we
were thrilled that he boldly decided
to chase his musical dreams in
California. I always applaud that. However,
his departure created the opportunity for
me to bring in one of my true friends in the
business, Wes McElroy, to join our team.
We plan to use Wes as a co-host for the
“Kubota Kickoff Show” and “Hokies Kickoff
Countdown,” along with Andrew Allegretta,
across our radio network.
But, the bigger news is that Wes and I will
co-host a new endeavor after each game. This
season, we debut “Hokies Postgame Live,” a
live-streamed video postgame show available
exclusively on Facebook Live. The show will
feature reaction from Justin Fuente, Bud
Foster, impactful players from each home
game and analysis throughout. It debuts
following football’s home opener against
Delaware. Look for it—and participate—on
Virginia Tech Athletics’ Facebook page.
And fear not, our radio postgame show
still remains available across our entire
radio network.
We also will team with HokieVision,
marketing, strategic communications and
athletics programs to provide diverse video
and audio elements across a variety of social
media platforms. This includes football
training camp coverage that invites you
behind the scenes, as the Hokies prepare for
the season.
In addition, Allegretta, Mike Burnop and
I will bring you “The Hokie Pod,” a weekly
podcast dedicated to Tech athletics. The
podcast supplements “Tech Talk Live” and
includes week-to-week conversation covering
the range of Tech athletics and in-depth
conversations with current student-athletes
and coaches. Find it on ITunes, TuneIn and
wherever podcasts stand available.
I learned early on in my career that the
most dangerous thing to do was to take
things away from people accustomed to
them. But the second most dangerous thing
was not challenging your organization with
new initiatives. We attempt to accomplish
both beginning with the new athletics year.
I hope you continue to enjoy the Hokies and
check out all our upcoming new and exciting
projects.
Welcome back to campus, and as always,
“Go Hokies!” VBS VT 1-3 page ad_Layout 1 7/21/16 11:52 AM Page 1
The Virginia
Tech/IMG Sports
Network staff has
big plans in place
for its football
and basketball
coverage this
upcoming
season.